When New Zealand’s borders open
New Zealand borders are reopening to different groups of travellers throughout 2022.
Steps to travelling to New Zealand
Understand what steps you need to take before you travel to New Zealand.
Step 1: Check if you can enter New Zealand
Check if you are eligible to enter New Zealand
Check to see if you’re eligible to travel to New Zealand at Immigration New Zealand. If you’re not a New Zealand citizen or resident, you might need to apply for a visa.
All New Zealand citizens can enter New Zealand, as well as all permanent residents who meet New Zealand’s vaccination requirements.
Who is eligible to travel to NZ under current border settings | Immigration New Zealand
Check your passport
You need to have a valid passport to enter New Zealand.
Is my passport acceptable for travel to New Zealand? | Immigration New Zealand
Check that your passport has not expired.
Step 2: Understand what you'll need to do when you enter New Zealand
All travellers to New Zealand need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. This will tell you what you need to do when you arrive in the country.
MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) will only be used in limited circumstances
It’s important you understand what you need to do when you arrive in New Zealand when planning your travel.
Step 3: Book your flight
Book an available flight to New Zealand.
Check the airline’s travel requirements before you book – some airlines may have their own vaccination requirements.
You will be asked to provide your flight number and travel date when you complete your New Zealand Traveller Declaration. If you change your flight, you need to update your declaration.
If you are a New Zealand citizen, it is a good idea to register with SafeTravel.
SafeTravel can check on your wellbeing if needed, or send you important information while you are overseas.
Step 4: Check your vaccination status
Check whether you will need to provide proof of vaccination. Some airlines have different vaccination requirements – check with your airline.
The following formats are accepted: PDF, PNG and JPG – up to 50MB. You need an international vaccination certificate.
Step 5: Start your New Zealand Traveller Declaration
Once you’ve completed steps 1-4, you can start your New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
We recommend that you complete your declaration on a computer or laptop, to make it easier to upload your documentation.
You can start your declaration up to 28 days before you travel, but must provide proof of a pre-departure test, taken 48 hours before departure if it is a PCR test, or 24 hours before departure if it is a RAT or LAMP test.
Step 6: Get your pre-departure test
Most travellers must have a negative COVID-19 pre-departure test to enter New Zealand.
You can choose one of the following:
- A supervised rapid antigen test (RAT) — your swab must be taken and your results returned within 24 hours of the first international flight of your journey to New Zealand.
- A supervised loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test — your swab must be taken and your results returned within 24 hours of the first international flight of your journey to New Zealand.
- A PCR/RT-PCR test — your swab must be taken and your results returned within 48 hours of the first international leg of your journey to New Zealand.
Some people do not need to get a pre-departure test.
Pre-departure test requirements
You need to upload evidence of the test to your New Zealand Traveller Declaration. The following formats are accepted: PDF, PNG and JPG – up to 50MB.
If you have previously had COVID-19, or you have a medical certificate outlining why you cannot have a medical test, please select that you are exempt when you complete your declaration. You need to have your documents with you at the airport.
Make sure your document is not password protected. Call the Contact Centre if you need help.
Step 7: Complete your New Zealand Traveller Declaration
Once you have completed your declaration, including uploading your COVID-19 pre-departure test, your New Zealand Traveller Declaration can be finalised and submitted.
We recommend that you complete your declaration on a computer or laptop, to make it easier to upload your documentation.
It’s important to submit your pre-departure test results as soon you can, within the required time limits, so your New Zealand Traveller Declaration can be processed before you check-in for the first leg of your journey to New Zealand.
Step 8: Receive a decision on your New Zealand Traveller Declaration
You will be emailed a decision on your New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
If you are eligible to travel to New Zealand
If your New Zealand Traveller Declaration is approved, you will be issued a Traveller Pass.
Your Traveller Pass will tell you what you need to do when you arrive in New Zealand, such as self-test, enter quarantine-free or transit.
Your Traveller Pass will have a QR code, unique to you and unique to the journey you completed the declaration for.
You will be asked to show your Traveller Pass at check-in by the airline, and again at Customs on arrival in New Zealand. Your Traveller Pass can be printed or saved to your mobile device.
You should always travel with paper or electronic copies of your COVID-19 vaccination status and your pre-departure test result. You may be asked to show them on arrival in New Zealand.
You must still meet all other travel and entry requirements, such as having the right visa if you are not a New Zealand citizen.
If you are not eligible to travel to New Zealand
Based on the information and proof you provide when completing your declaration, you may not be eligible to travel to New Zealand. You will receive an email explaining this.
If there was an error or issue with your declaration
If there was an issue or error with the information you provided with your declaration, your decision email will explain this and ask you to update and resubmit your declaration.
For example, if a document you submitted was blurry or hard to read, you’ll be asked to upload a clear copy so the document can be checked.
Your right for a review
If your declaration does not meet the requirements for a Traveller Pass, you have the right to have this decision reviewed, to look at whether you meet the COVID-19 provisions that apply to you.
If you want a review of the decision not to issue you with a Traveller Pass, please call the Contact Centre:
- +64 4 9315799 – for international callers
- 0800 359 269 – toll free number for NZ based callers
- 1800 359 269 – toll free number for Australia based callers